Helping you get on the property ladder

People struggling to get on the property ladder are being given a helping hand by Shropshire Council.

Two newly-built three-bedroom houses are available in Heritage Park, Oswestry, for a vastly discounted price to help people buy their first property.

The houses are available for £87,948 under the council’s “Discount Sale” scheme, allowing people to buy 100 per cent of a property, but at a substantial discount to the open market value.

Buyers need to meet certain criteria, such as being from the Oswestry area and being unable to afford a house on the open market.  They need to be able to get a mortgage for the discounted price, but do not then need to pay rent on the remainder like in some other affordable home schemes.

When it comes to selling the house on, it must be sold at the same proportion of discount and to a buyer who meets the same criteria.

The lack of affordable housing is a major issue in Shropshire, with more than 10,000 people registered on the Shropshire Home Point housing register who need a property.

Shropshire Council Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Malcolm Price, said:

“This is a great opportunity for those looking to get on the property ladder, particularly people on the Home Point housing register or those who are priced out of the local housing market.  I would urge anyone interested to get in touch as soon as they can, as two properties have already sold and these are the only two currently left.”

An open afternoon will be held in the near future for anyone interested in the properties.  For more details contact the communities and housing policy team on 01743 252429.

Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry East, Martin Bennett, added:

“I am pleased that we are able to offer this help to get onto the property ladder, but am aware that there is a long list of people who are looking for the same thing.  I hope that we will be able to encourage more such initiatives in the future.”